Coin control apparatus



March 1, 1955 R. J. GALLAGHER COIN CONTROL APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1950 gjmgv 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. RAY JOHN GALLAGHER ATTORNEY March 1, 1955 R. J. GALLAGHER 2,703,166

Com CONTROL APPARATUS Filed June 21, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. RAY JOHN GALLAGHER ATTORNEY March 1, 1955 R. J. GALLAGHER com CONTROL APPARATUS s Sheets-Shet 3 Filed June 21, 1950 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII :Jmm?

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34 as 29 [l 0.0. LINE COLLECT REFUND RAY JOHN GALLAGHER BY .%Z 4% ATTORNEY United States Patent M COIN CONTROL APPARATUS Ray John Gallagher, River Forest, Ill., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application June 21, 1950, Serial No. 169,479

2 Claims. (Cl. 1941) The present invention relates in general to prepaystation coin collecting apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for controlling the denomination of coins to be accepted.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple and economical improvement to present existing, as well as new, paystations that will reject a. certain denomination coin (a nickel in the present illustration) for initiating a call; whereas once a call has been initiated with a coin of another denomination (a dime or quarter in the present illustration) that previously rejected denomination coin will then be acceptable fortoll calls.

Reference may be had to an automatic telephone paystation such as is shown and described in United States Patent No. 1,383,472, issued July 5, 1921 to G. A. Long. The upper housing is provided with a laterally inclined coin chute having a plurality of coin channels adapted to be traversed by standard coins of different sizes for strik: ing gongs or bells mounted within the housing. The lower side wall of each channel is usually provided with an under-diameter reject opening for discharging from the coin channel coins or slugs of less than standard diameter. One aspect of this invention is concerned with that non-standard reject portion of the nickel coin channel. In the present invention a movable side of this reject portion of the coin channel is controlled by'the armature of a relay which permits a nickel to travel on through to the coin hopper when the relay is energized or to be diverted out of the channeland to the coin return chamber when the relay is at normal.

One form of a telephone paystation embodying this ingention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in w ich Fig. 1 is a rear view of the upper part of the telephone with the back board removed.

Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of the nickel channel taken along the line 22 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a top sectional view of the coin chutes and the controlling mechanism taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a partial front View of the chute assembly showing the controlling spring in the reject position,

Fig. 5 on the other hand is the same partial front view of the chute assembly as in Fig. 4 showing the controlling spring in the accept position.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a portion of'the coin controlled actuating device.

Fig. 7 is an isometric view of the upper housing.

Fig. 8 is a side view partly in section.

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring of this improved telephone.

Heretofore in the present existing paystations, the dropping of a nickel, dime or quarter through their respective coin gauge perforations would initiate a call in a-well known manner. In the present illustration a dime or quarter will also initiate a call as in the past. However, our present invention being applied to the nickel channel renders it impossible to initiate a call-with a nickel.

Referring now to the drawings a detailed description of the apparatus will now be given. The quarter, dime, and nickel coin channels of the paystation are formed by a flat back plate 40, a center plate 42 and a front plate 43 in the manner shown in the Long Patent 1,383,472 previously referred to. The first opening in the nickel channel 16 has been enlarged over that shown in the Long patent so that such opening is wider than the diameter of a nickel. That is, reference character A in Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the increased width of the nickel opening over 2,703,166 Patented Mar. .1, 1955 the similar opening in the Long patent. This increased width A may be made in existing paystations from the center plate 42 in any well known manner. The back plate 40 has also been modified in a similar manner except that a small flange 41 is retained to act as a back stop for spring 14.

The spring 14 is preferably stamped out of a thin sheet of nickel silver in the proper shape so that a portion 46, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, may be bent upwards at right angles to the main body portion of the spring 14. A shelf portion 4 is then bent at right angles from the portion 46 to form a surface paralleling that of the main body portion, such surface 4, or shelf portion being provided for engagement by the bushing 5 on armature arm 15 of relay 12. The clamping base portion of spring 14 is positioned between plates 42 and 43 and is secured in place by the nut and bolt assembly 44 passing through a hole therein. .Spring 14 also has a small inclined bent portion 47 so shaped, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, that the spring lies diagonally across the nickel channel in the enlarged opening of the nickel channel previously mentioned. With spring 14 positioned diagonally across the nickel channel, as best seen in Fig. 2, the nickel will roll part way down the nickel channel to where the upper portion of the nickel engages the free end of spring 14 causing the nickel to be diverted out of the enlarged opening and from the remainder of the nickel channel and into the refund chamber.

A plate 50 is secured to back plate 40 by means of machine screws 51 and an electromagnetic relay 12 in turn is secured to plate 50 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. When relay 12 is energized, armature 13 is attracted to the relay core, moving arm 15 to cause bushing 5 to engage surface 4 of spring 14 to thereby move spring 14 to the position shown in Fig. 3 so that spring 14 acts as a retaining member to retain the nickel in the nickel channel at the enlarged opening as it passes on down the nickel channel to the hopper.

The normal position of controlling spring 14 is in the reject position as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. Consequently, the nickel channel to approximately point 17 where the absence of the top retaining side together with the normal deflecting position of controlling spring 14 causes that nickel to be ejected out of the channel and to fall into the coin return 24. From Figs. 7 and 8 the approximate angle of ejectment 23 and the collecting means (coin return 24) for funneling the ejected nickel to the coin return receptacle 25 can readily be noted. Thus, with the controlling spring 14 in its normal reject position a nickel will be barred from proceeding through the entire channel and to the coin hopper to operate the triggering mechanism.

As hereinbefore stated this controlling mechanism is applied to the nickel channel only. Therefore, a dime or quarter inserted into coin gauge perforations 2 and 3, respectively, will pass unobstructed to the coin hopper 6. Coin hopper 6 is provided with longitudinal slots 7 through which projects the trigger arm 19. Trigger 19 is pivotally mounted on a pin 20 in the supporting frame 9, which in turn is secured to the relay 8. Resting on the upwardly extending projection 18 of the trigger 19 is a right-angle switch arm 11 which is pivotally mounted upon the pin 10 and is provided with a downwardly extending arm 21 adapted to operate a well known manner. of this coin triggering mechanism Patent 1,117,485 issued to Oscar F. Forsberg November 17, 1914 can be referred to. Thus, a dime or quarter will trip trigger 19 and close the contacts 22.

In the wiring diagram illustrated in Fig. 9 much is shown that does not require detailed description, as it will be readily understood by those skilled in theart. Briefly set out, the numeral 29 denotes a hookswitch, 27

a D. C. blocking condenser, 31 an induction coil, 26 a" "transmitter, 32 a receiver, 8 a polarized coin relay, 22

a nickel inserted in coin gauge 1 travels through contact springs 22 in For a more complete description to position it. This relay 12 is placed in the circuit in series with the line between the transmitter 26 and the dial 30. Condenser 28 shunting controlling relay l2 otters a low impedance path to the audio currents.

When the controlling relay 12 is energized, armature 13 is attracted, moving arm 15 of armature 13 toward nickel coin channel 16. Bushing 5, being attached to arm 15 and resting against surface 4 of controlling spring arrangement, will consequently move surface 4 and the entire controlling spring arrangement forward as the controlling relay 12 is energized. The components of this mechanism are so designed and placed that when the relay 12 is energized, controlling spring 14 will be moved over to a position parallel with nickel channel 16. This position is clearly illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. With the controlling spring 14 so positioned, a nickel inserted in coin gauge perforation 1 will travel through nickel channel 16 retained and unobstructed through to the coin hopper '6 Incidentally, the width of controlling spring 14 is such that it will ofifer no -retaining surface to dimes, pennies, or non-standard coins and they will fall into the coin return 24.

The operation of the present improved telephone paystation will best be understood with reference to an assurned series of operating conditions.

Assuming that it is desired to make a local call, automatic to automatic; controlling spring 14 unaffected by the normally unenergized controlling relay 12 will be in the reject position. Should a nickel be inserted in coin gauge perforation 1 the same would be diverted out of nickel channel 16 at approximately point 17 into the coin refund receptacle 24. However, a dime or quarter deposited in their respective coin gauge perforation would be permitted to pass through their channels to the hopper and trip trigger 19. Contacts 22 will thus be made to close. The dime or quarter would be arrested on a trap door, operation of which is well known in the art. For a complete description of the coin hopper mechanism Patent No. 1,043,219 dated November 5, 1912 may be referred to.

Upon operation of contacts 22, ground is applied through the coin collect-refund relay 8, over L 2, through cut-off relay contacts 33, through line relay 35 to battery. Line relay 35 operates in a well known manner and initiates a switch train, such as finder F to find the line. Upon seizure of the line by the switch train the associated paystation repeater R now supplies exchange battery through the battery feed relay (not shown) across L1 and L2. The controlling relay 12 now operates as there is a D. C. path from L2, through hook-switch contacts 29, dial contacts 36, controlling relay 12, transmitter 2 6, induction coil 31 to L1 and positions controlling spring 14 to its accept position as hereinbefore described. From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the calling party will be required to use a dime or a quarter to initiate the establishment of a call. It will be appreciated that the operation of controlling spring 14 by controlling relay 12 to the accept position serves no useful function in an automatic to automatic call since a nickel is not required in such a call.

However, in making an automatic to toll operator call seizure of the repeater through depositing of a dime or quarter conditions the paystation for dialing and subsequent communication with the toll operator. It will now be appreciated that the controlling relay 12 once again is caused to operate. With the controlling spring 14 so positioned in the accept position subsequent coins of all denominations-nickels as well as dimes and quarters will be accepted for the required toll charges. Thus, it will be appreciated that payment of toll changes can be made in any combination of nickels, dimes and quarters.

It will be noted that during dialing the relay 12 releases before and re-operates after each digit, the relay 12 being shunted by the shunt springs of the dial, This does not affect the circuit or mechanical operation. The shunt circuit for relay 12 may be traced from the left-hand terminal of relay 12, through transmitter 26, to the make shunt springs of calling device 30 to the right-hand termlnal of relay 12.

While the particular form of apparatus herein described is well adapted to carry out the objects of the invention, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a telephone paystation coin chute comprising a plurality of chute members and having a plurality of coin channels formed therein each defined by an upper and lower surface and parallel retaining walls with each wall having openings formed therein, one of said coin channels having a first upper portion of one of its coin retaining walls and a portion of its upper surface cut away at one of said openings to form an enlarged first opening and having a second upper portion of its opposite coin retaining wall cut away at another of said openings to form an enlarged second opening in register with said first enlarged opening, a coin deflecting mechanism including a flat controlling spring mounted between two of said chute members on one side of said one channel and having its flat portion extending along the top of said first opening of said one channel and normally projecting longitudinally into said one channel, said flat portion when in said normal position engaging the top edge of any coin deposited in said one channel and diverting it out 'of the channel by way of said first opening, a mounting bracket mounted on the opposite side of said one channel, an electromagnet mounted on said bracket, an ear shaped flange forming a part of said controlling spring and extending at right angles from said spring through said second opening, and means controlled by said electromagnet, when operated, for engaging said flange to move said spring to a different position to cause the fiat portion of said spring to provide a coin rctaining wall in said first opening and to cause said flange to form a portion of the upper surface of said channel, thereby retaining a deposited coin within said channel.

2. In combination with a telephone paystation coin chute including a coin channel within said chute leading to a hopper and having coin retaining surfaces on each side thereof with openings formed in said retaining surfaces, said channel having an upper portion of one of its said retaining surfaces removed at one of said openings to form an enlarged first opening and also having an opposite upper portion of the other of its retaining surfaces removed at another of said openings on the opposite side thereof to form an enlarged second opening in register with said first enlarged opening, a coin deflecting mechanism including a fiat controlling spring mounted on one side of said channel and extending along the top of said first opening and normally projecting longitudinally into said channel, said spring engaging the top edge of any coin deposited in said channel, for normally diverting the deposited coin therefrom by way of said first opening, electromagnetic means mounted on the opposite side of said channel over said second opening and also included in said mechanism, and linkage means controlled by said electromagnetic means, when operated, for engaging and moving said spring to a different position to provide a retaining surface in place of said first opening and thus retain a deposited coin within said channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 661,130 Pape Nov. 6, 1900 1,386,701 Goodrum Aug. 9, 1921 1,790,055 Mills Jan. 27, 1931 1,921,669 Gray Aug. 8, 1933 1,934,679 Bonorden Nov. 14, 1933 1,963,402 Comer June 19, 1934 2,066,392 Collins ..a Jan. 5, 1937 2,075,989 Jonneret -2. Apr. 6, 1937 2,179,091 Hoyt Nov. 7, 1939 2,509,477 Carson May 30, 1950 2,642,496 Dewar June 16, 1953 

